Heated Debate vs. Fluffy Platitudes (Part 2)

I haven’t accused anyone of anything. I simply believe, as many do across our nation, that money buys influence and that’s why we have the right to see who funds our politicians’ campaigns. That’s why there are laws with respect to reporting on campaign finance and it’s why we have every right to consistently question how that money influences our politicians. Just because you report it doesn’t mean you can’t be criticized for it.

If I offended anyone with my strong words, please note that it is not a personal attack but a critique of the ideas the candidates represent through their actions. I personally know and like some of the people that ran as part of the Merkel slate and I even agree with some of their ideas. I never spoke of their personal appearance, their families, or any other irrelevant or personal matter. But I don’t like the way they campaign or run the Council and when you put yourself up as a candidate in a political race you open yourself to criticism by people that disagree with you on the issues and how you run their Town.

It takes a lot of guts for candidates to put themselves out there and stand up for their ideas and I have always given them a lot of credit and respect for that. I know because I’ve put my own ideas, and neck, out there and a few people that have taken their best whack at it! Recently, one person, after referring to me several times in a letter as a body part not normally associated with one’s intelligence or good nature, suggested I move out of Herndon and maybe Virginia.

But I love this town - otherwise why would I take time to get so involved? So I would rather suggest that this person should move to Mayberry or some other imaginary and idyllic town where everybody is nice, there’s always fresh pie on the windowsill and disagreements always get resolved before the next commercial break, because I would far rather have heated debates and impassioned voters in Herndon than fluffy platitudes and an indifferent electorate.